Earlier today there was a thread regarding Dr. Kevorkian's release from prison. Just as I was adding my thoughts, it got moved to the Current Events restricted area.
At that time, it seemed like there was 100% support for him. Honestly, I was surprised, especially since not everyone he killed was terminally ill. (I'm from Michigan, though, so maybe I know more about his history).
So I'm wondering, do nurses generally support the theory of physician assisted suicide?
True. Sometimes in the heat of debate people get carried away. I might be guilty as charged, as I continually add my two cents ad nauseaum. But isn't that a good debate - disagreeing and discussing it?
I think so ,it is as I said earlier agree to disagree--nothing wrong with a healthy discussion :)
I wonder if someone can tell me if in Oregon the PAS is carried out in the hosp. or in another setting? I wonder if nurses and MD's will be pressured to participate? I know that sounds paranoid but you get told in nsg school that you always have the right to refuse a pt. but the reality on the floor is if you refuse too many times you risk your job. I've already heard of MD students being made to participate in abortion procedures in order to pass that portion of their studies (sorry, don't mean to bring abortion back in - just using an example from an existing situation). I worry that it is a very small step from agreeing to allow something to say that it is the RIGHT thing to do and if you don't participate you are not doing your job. That would put many RN's and MD's in the position of being forced to choose b/t their jobs and their ethical standard. I know some of you are going to say that this won't happen but they didn't initially insist MD students do procedures to which they had ethical objections.:chair:
No..............there is a natural process that the body goes through as it dies and to expedite that robs the person of essential changes that are in place during the transition from this life to the next.
I think there should be an ethics review board perhaps with mental health, medical, social and legal experts that a person could go to if they feel they want to end their life. Or a family could approach regarding an incompetent loved one.
If the board agreed, then the proper medication would be provided. If they felt that the pt needed treatment then they be referred appropriately with the option of review if after treatment they felt the same.
I'm not really sure this would be described as physician assisted? But I have had cancer. I know how leery healthcare providers can be in giving pain meds (I've seen it) I have no desire to die in lingering excruciating pain if it ever comes to that.
And how can I as a moral person condemn a person to a fate I would not wish to suffer. I have the knowledge and resources to end my life effectively and painlessly. Many people who try to commit suicide screw it up (ask any ER nurse).
And there are those who are simply unable to take that step for themselves.
I absolutely cannot abide torturing an obviously dying person. I would NEVER hold back medicine and will always advocate for as much pain med as needed regardless of what anyone thinks is "normal" dosing.
And God forbid anyone try to hold back meds due to resp depression. I'd rather die faster than live longer in pain - and I will advocate everyone of my patients has that same right.
yes. most definitely,i support PAS. under the proper circumstances anyone & everyone should have the right to decide to end their own suffering.
i have to be very honest,if someone i loved was terminal & suffering and they asked me to assist them in ending that suffering i would do the unselfish thing and let them go. i would tell them i love them & wish them a safe trip into their next journey.because,i believe that death is not an ending of the spirit,just of the body.i personally would want to assist that spirit in continuing it's journey.i wouldn't have them physcally,but spiritually they would always be with me.
i would hope that someone would love me just as much.
I have always believed in PAS, and I do not believe that it is any way "playing God." Having spent too much time in the long term care setting, with young as well as elderly patients, in chronic pain and despair, I have made peace with my decision. People who are ready and willing to move on should be allowed to do so without guilt and with dignity. It is the most humane thing that we can do for another human being...our final gift as professional healthcare providers.
I suppose another good question to ask ourselves is what we would want our families to be able to do for us should we ever be in such a condition. Respectfully.
No..............there is a natural process that the body goes through as it dies and to expedite that robs the person of essential changes that are in place during the transition from this life to the next.
What essential changes? I don't remember learning anything about this.
i truly believe in the natural process and know 95% time it can be peaceful and comfortable with all that is available-i.e.hospice. i look at the "end", as the "beginning"-and an exciting journey, that i hope i am ready to take,whenever. i can see why there is a push for physician assisted suicide-and many seriously ill people are vulnerable enough to allow it-they are already depressed,and feel like 'burdens'--when instead, it should be the time in life to be truly validated and cared for, respected and honored.like a birthday. i have seen in hospice, too many 'supernatural' happenings, that i would hate to see missed...like predeceased love ones being in the room, sight unseen, except for the dying. dying is hard work but good for the soul, and 'sweet will be the sleep'.
Hey,,, Dschueler.... what about the use of marijuana for pain control? I happened to be a car dealership waiting on an oil change and on the Television was the Mike and Juliet show... with a discussion on marijuana and it's medicinal uses... Hey if Im ever so bad... I'll smoke it !!! People who have aids and cancer swear by it. University of Mississippi supplies it. Montel Williams uses it for his MS. Something else to think about
I am all for using marijuana for medical use. After all, so many of our medicines are derived from plants. Morphine is an opiate, isn't it, and isn't that from poppies?
I do not support Physician's assisted suicide (PAS). I wrote a paper for one of my BSN courses and the information I found out was enlightening. Most of the terminally ill patients that opted for PAS were those that did not have adequate pain medication, so they were in pain. If they were not in pain or other discomfort, the majority of patients did not want to go the way of PAS. Of course there were those that no matter what, did opt for that route, but the majority did not.
i truly believe in the natural process and know 95% time it can be peaceful and comfortable with all that is available-i.e.hospice. i look at the "end", as the "beginning"-and an exciting journey, that i hope i am ready to take,whenever. i can see why there is a push for physician assisted suicide-and many seriously ill people are vulnerable enough to allow it-they are already depressed,and feel like 'burdens'--when instead, it should be the time in life to be truly validated and cared for, respected and honored.like a birthday. i have seen in hospice, too many 'supernatural' happenings, that i would hate to see missed...like predeceased love ones being in the room, sight unseen, except for the dying. dying is hard work but good for the soul, and 'sweet will be the sleep'.
I think we have to be careful about overly "romaticizing" the dying process. It can also be pretty awful, even with the best support and the best medical interventions.
Poetry is nice, but I doubt many of the people who wrote verse actually sat at the bedside of people who were going through the dying process.
When someone says "dying is hard work but good for the soul," that's imposing one's personal belief system onto others. That's dangerous; we should be assessing what the patient needs. FWIW, not everyone even believes that there is a "soul" that survives after someone dies.
Well in my opinion I think people just need to "Agree to Disagree" cause it is apparent everyone believes their own way and we are just here to discuss I thought and NOT try to change anyones opinion one way or another--rather it be for or against PAS rather one believes we have a soul or not--the point here is that we ALL are entitled to our opinion rather we think it is right or wrong thats just the way it is!!!! So we need to agree to disagree or at lest that is MY opinion :)
Eaglelady
201 Posts
I think so ,it is as I said earlier agree to disagree--nothing wrong with a healthy discussion :)